Until the rains last

Protima Tiwary

With those heavy grey clouds and thunderstorms comes the need to munch on something warm and crispy. Don’t blame yourself for craving for unhealthy fried foods. Your mind is looking for comfort and turns to food to calm it down. It is interesting to see how the food that we eat has a spiritual, mental as well as emotional connection with our physical bodies. Fried pakoras, a steaming cup of chai, moong dal khichdi with extra ghee, fried malpua, samosas, buttered toast or even a steaming bowl of soupy noodles have been rainy day favourites since time immemorial, and eating these always brings about a sense of nostalgia that we love to celebrate.

However, it is no hidden fact that craving for all the crispy, oily food is unhealthy. How do you combat this feeling? Fortunately there is a way, the secret to which lies in being intelligent about your food choices.

Did you know consuming fatty foods affects the hypothalamus, the part of the brain responsible for regulating hunger? Consuming fried, oily foods can cause inflammation in this gland, which makes it difficult for your brain to control food cravings. If you’re looking to stay clear of these cravings, you can add fresh fruits, especially pomegranate, green apple and banana, dark chocolate, avocado, kale, yogurt, chickpeas, nuts, seeds and jackfruit to your diet to replace unhealthy meal cravings with healthy ones. Here are three recipes that can change your diet without compromising on the taste.

Corn bhel

Chaat and rains go hand in hand, but what if we told you there was a healthier way to enjoy your favourite bhel? Here is a recipe that we are sure you will enjoy. Mix ½ cup of corn with 1 finely chopped cucumber, 1 finely chopped boiled potato, 1 finely chopped onion, 1 finely chopped tomato, ¼ cup of pomegranate seeds , ¼ cup of raw mango, 1 tsp dried mango powder, 1 tsp chaat masala and 1 tsp black salt. Add coriander leaves and lemon juice. Mix well. Serve garnished with some coriander leaves and chaat masala. With this handy guide to monsoon food cravings, we hope you celebrate nostalgia this rainy season with healthy foods. Happy munching!

Parmesan zucchini chips 

There is another recipe that will help you combat the urge to open that packet of chips. How about some parmesan zucchini chips on a rainy afternoon? Preheat the oven to 450 degree. Slice 2 medium zucchinis into thin rounds. Take ½ cup of Italian dressing and mix it with 1 egg beaten already. In another dish, combine ½ tsp basil, oregano, 1 cup of dried bread crumbs and ½ cup of parmesan cheese. Dredge the zucchini slices in the dressing and then over the bread crumb mixture. Place on a baking sheet and bake for 20 min or until golden brown. Serve with ketchup or mayonnaise. 

Chilli pumpkin seeds

Craving for something salty and crunchy, and your mind reaches out for that packet of chips? Here’s a recipe that will not only help replace that craving for something light, crunchy and spicy, but also add in good calories and nutrients to your body.

Heat 2tsp olive oil in a pan. Add 1 cup pumpkin seeds to it. Toss and add ½ tsp chilli powder and 1/4tsp salt. Toast and stir occasionally for up to 10 minutes.  Serve as a snack with evening tea.